My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

she could even offer

cake is so pretty,

she lifted a knife and a paper

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is

a little girl

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her eyes and

blow out

Julian that there was

sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began

thank you!” their

other’s faces. Just like that, the

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for

building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and

about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and

then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm

and headed toward

was inside her apartment and about

was propped

saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

out on business? she

into the house and shut the door before surveying

you’ve been getting

took two steps back.

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch by

no idea

pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all